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Obverse Design
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The legend "BARROWS PANAMA" curves along the top.
The token says "COFFEE" and "LANDS" in two lines horizontally across the bottom
half of the token.
Above "COFFEE" is an ornament that looks like an elaborate "&".
On either side of the word "LANDS" is a dash.
Under the word "LANDS" is an elaborate branch ornament.
The token has a somewhat weak dentured edge, and a smooth raised rim.
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Reverse Design
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The center of the token has a large "5 ¢". The legend "GOOD FOR"
curves along the top. The legend "IN MERCHANDISE" curves along the bottom.
On either side of the token, dividing the top legend from the bottom
legend, are small five-point stars.
The token has a weak dentured edge, and a smooth raised rim.
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Metal
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Brass.
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Weight
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Unknown.
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Size and Shape
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Round, 24 mm in diameter.
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Dates Issued
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About 1928.
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Issuer
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Barrows Panama Coffee Lands.
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Mintage
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Unknown.
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Rarity
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Scarce.
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Manufacturer
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Unknown, probably located in the Ventura, California area.
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Other Catalog Numbers
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Asociación Numismático's F-59, Conte Porras page #107,
Henkle's Unknown Panama Locality #5, Plumer page #1,
Rulau mentions denomination in note of Pan 1.
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Varieties
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None known.
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Function
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Plantation token.
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Population Count
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Eight specimens of this token in collector hands are known to me.
Recent sales include:
- Auction sale on eBay on December 21, 2006 for $129.50 and $2.75 shipping.
- Private sale in July, 2005 for $100.
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History
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The Barrows Coffee Lands finca was founded by Arthur C. Barrows, his wife Virginia
("Jennie") and his brother Frank. The Barrows family imigrated from Ventura,
California to Panama. Their finca was located in the mountains of
Chiriqui in the vicinity of El Volcan. The main tract of the finca was 350 acres
in size, and the home tract was 75 acres. Operations started in 1927 with the
planting of the coffee trees.
Unfortunately Arthur succumbed to "black water fever" on March 20, 1931. He was
buried in Puerto Armuelles. His son Lester became foreman of the Barrows Coffee
Lands finca and served in this capacity from June 1932 to May 1934. The finca
initially did well under Lester's direction, but went under when a "blight"
destroyed much of the crop. Operations ceased around 1935. Lester married a
Panamanian girl he met while working at the finca. He went on to work on the
Inter-American highway and then for The Panama Canal in the Locks Division.
The tokens may have been manufactured in the Ventura, California area when
Frank Barrows was there on a business trip in 1928. After the finca went bust,
the tokens were disposed of by being dumped in pouches down a river bank.
Only a handful survive in collector hands.
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Design Notes
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The five cent piece has "IN MERCHANDISE" instead of "IN TRADE" like the rest of
the series. The 50 cent piece, unlike the rest of the series, does not have the
cent sign or the star dividers. The font-type, especially that of the large
numerals, varies from denomination to denomination. These inconsistencies suggest
that the Barrows saved some money by using "stock" reverses for the manufacture
of these tokens.
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